Description

Contents

At present there are six modules on offer.

Studying the Contemporary:

Covers research methodologies relevant to contemporary studies, an overview of the intellectual, aesthetic and cultural issues relevant to contemporary literary production, and then finally considers a number of key contemporary writers such as Toni Morrison, Martin Amis, John Ashbery, JH Prynne and Salman Rushdie.

Postcolonial Literature:

This module analyses the emergence of post-colonial literatures during and after European colonialism, and their massive impact on contemporary writing and culture in Britain, the US and Europe.

Writing Now:

This module introduces some key writers and theoretical debates informing the composition and reception of innovative poetry and prose. It is unique in focusing on 21st century literatures, and on the ways in which cutting-edge literatures expose the contradictions in contemporary culture.

Popular genres and fictions:

This module examines contemporary popular fictions, and the roots of genres such as Science Fiction, Romance, Detective Fiction, the Western and Travel writing, to investigate how 20th century traditions are renovated for life in the 21st century.

Theories of Practice:

An option offered from our successful Creative and Professional Writing MA, this module considers some key debates from contemporary critical theory and cultural studies, allowing students to theorize the complexities of creativity itself.

The Dissertation:

To prepare you for what is perhaps the most important piece of writing you have yet produced, Brunel´s distinguished teaching staff will work with you in developing a relevant, realistic and original research project in an area of contemporary literature and culture of your choosing. Our team offers close supervision and regular contact, as you work on a long essay exploring the writer or subject of your choice. In addition to our diverse expertise, Brunel´s teaching staff has a long tradition of supporting interdisciplinary and creative projects, and of supporting students to produce work of exceptionally high standard.

Special Features

* Taught by specialists in the field
* Looks at contemporary writings in all their diversity
* Emphasis on close reading of a wide range of literatures
* Theoretically informed by the latest work in the field
* Provides a sophisticated framework of cultural and intellectual contexts
* Only MA in the country dedicated to the widest variety contemporary literatures
* Special emphasis on 21st century and cutting edge writings
* The location of Brunel University in West London places it in the heart of contemporary literary and cultural life
* Important writers and creative practitioners in the School of Arts contribute to teaching the programme and to the research culture at Brunel
* A unique opportunity to construct a programme of study in accordance with your own interests
* You can draw on the School´s new archive of contemporary writing, Archive of the Now, and its Centre for Contemporary Literature

Requirements

You should have a good honours degree or relevant professional experience. The Programme Convenor will consider all applications including those from international students and individuals with extensive relevant experience.

English Language Requirements

* Brunel English Language Test (BrunELTS) - 70% (at least 65% in writing, 55% in all other section)
* IELTS - 7.0 (at least 6.5 in writing, 5.5 in all others)
* TOEFL (Internet Based) - 100 (at least 22 in writing, 15 in reading listening & speaking)
* TOEFL (Paper Based) - 600 (plus TWE 4.5)

English Language Requirements

Funding

The Brunel International Scholarship

The Brunel International Scholarship is an annual award scheme designed to promote talent and encourage excellence in scholars coming to Brunel from around the globe. For 2010/11, 35 awards of either £3,000 or £2,000 are available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students who have been offered a place on a full-time course at Brunel.

All applications must be submitted online before 26 May 2010.

Bursaries

Bursaries may be available from your School, and your course director once you have secured and accepted a place on a course for information on any funding opportunities.

* A limited number of part-scholarships of £1,500 are available for the MA programmes in Music and Drama. Details will be sent to candidates who have confirmed their intention to study at Brunel in the 2010/11 academic year.
* The Leaders of Tomorrow PhD Bursary in Human Centred Design is supported by a donation from Brunel graduate and philanthropist Peter Ilori. The bursary provides £5,000 of financial support towards the study fees of high-achieving graduates who wish to pursue a PhD in Human Centred Design. Selection is based on the quality of applicants´ PhD study proposal.

Extra-curricular scholarships

Extra-curricular scholarships do not cover living costs or tuition fees. They are available to both taught and research students.

A number of Music Awards to help cover music tuition costs are made each year to students who are not studying music performance as part of their academic course.

The Brunel Sports Scholarship helps elite performance athletes by supporting their academic study and sporting needs simultaneously.